Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 26

The emergence of a host of strong value forward options has prompted us to opt for a 4-3-3 set-up for our latest Scout Picks selection – a rarity in recent months.

There’s also savings to be made at the back, with Crystal Palace stopper Wayne Hennessey (4.3) beginning the trend. He sets us back just 4.3 ahead of Newcastle United’s visit to Selhurst Park.

Since cementing a starting berth in Gameweek 21, the Welshman has earned two clean sheets and we reckon a third will be forthcoming against a Magpies side that has struggled to find the net in recent weeks, scoring just four in their last six outings.

Marcos Alonso (7.4) continues his long stint in the Scout Picks, despite failing to reward our faith last time out when Chelsea crumbled 3-0 at home to Bournemouth.

That blank was his first since Gameweek 16 and we are hoping for a return to more productive ways for the left wing-back when the Blues visit Watford on Monday night.

The Hornets have conceded more goals (25) at home than any other side this season and haven’t scored in their last three matches in all competitions. The Spaniard, meanwhile, has scored at least six points in each of his last four away trips.

Phil Jones (5.7) is another Scout Picks stalwart that endured a disappointing Gameweek 25 when he scored an own goal during Manchester United’s 2-0 away defeat to Spurs.

Huddersfield’s visit to Old Trafford looks an ideal opportunity to restore confidence in his stock.

Jose Mourinho’s troops have the league’s best home defence, with a record nine clean sheets and the lowest number of goals conceded (five).

The Terriers have scored just three goals from their previous seven matches, creating just five big chances over that period – fewer than any other side on both counts.

Charlie Daniels (4.7) is auditioning to become a regular pick ahead of Bournemouth’s strong run of fixtures. That starts on Saturday with a home tie against Stoke City.

Although the Cherries have kept just two clean sheets at home, we are hopeful they can keep the Potters at bay as the visitors have failed to find the net in three of their last four road trips.

With nine Premier League goals since Eddie Howe’s side were promoted from the Championship, the left wing-back also gives us the chance of precious attacking returns.

Our final defensive berth is taken up by Leicester City’s Harry Maguire (5.5), another who offers broad points potential. This season the centre-back has racked up two goals and four assists. He’d also secured three straight clean sheets prior to the Foxes’ 2-1 away defeat at Everton.

Maguire entertains a Swansea City side that has struggled for goals on the road.

Home wins over Liverpool and Arsenal have caught the eye. But away from the Liberty Stadium they have fired just 32 shots from their previous four away trips, second lowest behind Everton’s tally of 27.

Alexis Sanchez (11.7) earns a first Scout Picks mention as a Manchester United player, with the Huddersfield visit providing the perfect opportunity for the former Gunner to deliver a big score.

The Terriers have conceded 12 goals over their last four matches, while in his final four outings for Arsenal, the Chilean scored three times and also notched an assist.

Relentless consistency makes it impossible for us to leave out Liverpool winger and FPL top points scorer Mohamed Salah (10.3).

He has only failed to register a goal or assist once in his last seven starts and while Spurs are expected to provide a stern test at Anfield, the Egyptian has already scored against the London side in Gameweek 9’s reverse fixture.

Strong recent away form and Watford’s poor home defence earns Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard (10.7) the final place in our heavyweight midfield trio. The Belgian has scored three goals and won two sets of maximum bonus from his last two away days.

Up front, Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson (5.9) and West Brom’s Jay Rodriguez (5.5) provide excellent value.

The Cherries marksman has four goals and two assists in his last six league matches and hosts a Stoke side that has shipped a league-high 30 goals on the road.

Claiming more than 117,000 new FPL managers, Wilson is the most bought striker in the transfer market this week.

Baggies forward Rodriguez is also in a rich vein of form, with two goals and an assist in his last five.

He now faces former club Southampton who have shipped eight goals in their last four away trips.

This penny-pinching means we have enough to bring in Sergio Aguero (11.9) for Manchester City’s visit to a Burnley.

The Argentine boasts nine goals from his last eight matches in all competitions and has hit six in his last four encounters with the Clarets’ defence.

Brighton defender Shane Duffy (4.6) takes a bench spot ahead of a visit from a West Ham outfit that looks set to struggle for goals without the injured Marko Arnautovic.

His 19 shots this season, the joint fourth best among defenders, means that the imposing centre-back also offers us the chance of points in the opposition’s box, with his first Premier League goal long overdue.

Three of the Seagulls’ four home clean sheets have come in their last six Amex Stadium matches, with Crystal Palace, Burnley and Watford unable to breach their rearguard.

Junior Stanislas (5.9) was another Cherries player to impress at Stamford Bridge in midweek, matching Wilson’s goal and assist returns. He earns a place on our bench for the visit of Stoke, having produced a 13-point return in the reverse fixture in Gameweek 9.

Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy (8.6) is unlucky to only make the bench as he has three goals in his last four league run-outs. He takes on a Swansea defence that has shipped goals in each of its last nine away fixtures.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 26 is Tigerite, who is in his twelfth season.

He has opted for a 3-4-3 line-up of: Cech; Alonso, Daniels , Smalling; Martial, Sterling, De Bruyne, Mkhitaryan; Vardy, Wilson, Aguero.

Gameweek 25’s champion, Pras United, beat the scouts 54-46.

The champion to beat remains Gregor, who achieved victory over the Scouts by a 33-point margin in Gameweek 5.

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

1,237 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Ultras
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Captain?

    A) Hazard
    B) Aguero
    C) Vardy
    D) Sterling
    E) Pogba

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B
      D
      A
      C
      E

      1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        In order of preference

        1. FPL Ultras
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Thanks mate!

    2. CrouchDown
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      BADEC

    3. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

  2. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Who should I give the armband to this GW out of

    Kane
    Hazard
    Vardy

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. CrouchDown
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'm going (K)ane

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Kane

    3. ooooo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      kane

    4. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard

    5. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Going Hazard myself with same options

  3. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Seems like a good move to save the next 2 FT and prepare your respective teams after FACup games.

    1. mookie
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      That's a luxury not many can afford.

    2. Atwood
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      In a perfect world, yes. Can't really afford to do that though.

    3. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      What's your hurdle fellas?

      1. mookie
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Just got rid of Arnautovic, but still have Mahrez, Masuaku, Andre Gray. I would also like to cash in on Otamendi.

        1. barracuda
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I will cash on Ota after FA Cup games. Thinking there will be many managers using their WCs so the price changes will be diluted...

          1. mookie
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Could very well be. I'll probably end up keeping him until WC though.

      2. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Fabregas,rlc and masuaku

  4. seanie3
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Adrian
    Alonso, Otamendi, Jones
    Sterling, Salah, Lingard, Shaqiri
    Aguero, Kane, Wilson

    Elliot, Ogbonna, Holgate, Rlc

    I have 2 FT's and 2.1m, would you keep shaqiri? Should I use one of my FT this week to get rid of ogbonna and then keep the other to have 2 FT next week.

    1. Sedemuda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Good side start strengthening bench.

      1. seanie3
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Any ideas who

        1. Sedemuda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          The cheapest available that play every week. Start planning for DGWs no point having them on the bench if they don't play.Like I say you're 11 is a great team.

          1. seanie3
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks, good advice

  5. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Martial 9 Goals 5 Asissts Thinking to get him .....
    Yaaaaay
    Naaaay

    1. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He was poor last game, could lose his spot.
      No from me

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Thxxx

  6. ididnt
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    a) lingard & ozil > sanchez (c) & Romeu for -4
    b) leave it

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No no no no no no

    2. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

    3. ooooo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      b

    4. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Noooo

  7. Ribus
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    First time i dont really know what to do with my transfer(s). Got 2 ft.
    0 money itb.

    Adrian - Fabianski
    Ota - Jones - Alonso - Kenny - Mariapa
    Salah - Sterling - Lingard - JWP - RLC
    Kun - Kane - Firmino

    Kenny or RLC to another bench man?

    Any advice? Thanks!

    1. jbenny1107
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      RLC to McArthur, save the other

    2. Effe
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Kenny for a defender that plays.

  8. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Play 3

    Mustafi danilo simpson dunk bauer

    Cheers.x

    1. ooooo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Simpson Dunk Mustafi

      1. jdogg
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Currently got that but danilo starting dunk 1st sub.x

        1. ooooo
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Yes do that

  9. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Pick one:

    A. Kabasele -> Hegazi
    B. Mahrez, Kabasele -> Maguire, Walcott (-4)
    C. Mahrez, Kabasele -> Valencia/Alonso, Albrighton (-4)
    D. Any other defender-midfielder combo for 13.3m (-4)

    1. Ahtikullervo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      C

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers! 🙂

    2. Effe
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Just Mahrez to Walcott

  10. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Who to get instead of Mahrez ??

    A- Martial
    B- Pogba
    C- Walcott

    1. ooooo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      c

    2. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      C or B, unclear as to how will Pogba link up with Sanchez

    3. duffnasty
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I brought Wally in last week but he has a tough fixture this week but I think you will want him going forward.
      I am considering Martial or Pogba in for Mahrez this weekend. Its a toss up. Martial could be subbed with Mata or Rashford but if he does play he is a better differential than Pogba and more likely to score. I feel Pogba is nailed but would like to see him more advanced, could Pogba play in Lingards position?

    4. Effe
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      C

  11. ooooo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    DDG
    Alonso Jones Dunk
    KDB(C) Salah Sterling Lingard
    Kane Firmino Wilson.

    Elliot Yedlin Fernandez RLC

    Mahrez + DCL + Ota to KDB(C) + Wilson + Fernandez(-4)?
    A) Yes
    B) No.

  12. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Good to go
    Fab
    Jones Alonso Daniels
    Salah Lingard Hazard shaqiri sterling
    Aguero Firmino.

    Who to captain?

    1. ooooo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yes and Aguero

  13. Firmy
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone looking at Kane Captain? I feel there could be many goal between Spurs vs Liverpool.

    1. CrouchDown
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yup

    2. PocketZola
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      1-0 to pool, salah deflected goal...

    3. DAZZ
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Think he'll have the armband off me

    4. Sedemuda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      yes

  14. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Why everyone saying Daniels? Anyone actually looked at his scores the last few months??

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mark

    2. Prøfeßör …
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      This is a fair point. Decent stats but Bournemouth are simply too attacking (and therefore concede pretty much every game).

    3. PocketZola
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Nostalgia

    4. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Its attacking threat mixed with good fixtures

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        It's not really that good if look at recent stats. Teammates better stats

  15. Ed
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Captain:

    A) Kane
    B) Salah
    C) Alonso

    1. ooooo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      b

    2. Sedemuda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

    3. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

  16. Ambrosiana Inter
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    How do Leicester and indeed Vardy fear without Mahrez?

  17. The Alli Way
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Sterling (C) at the moment, also have Kane and Salah but with Burnley missing some key players, and Bardsley playing RB, do you think Sterling is the best option of the 3?

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Naaa

    2. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He is playing RB for a reason. The regular RB is back from injury but Bardsley is performing well.
      Salah out of those for me.

    3. ididnt
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      (C) Kane

    4. Sedemuda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Kane just because Pool V Spurs will be an open game with Spurs having the best defence.

    5. yemzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Tough one but I'm going Salah. Tottenham won't sit back and can see him exploiting the space behind their defence.

  18. ididnt
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    a) Aguero / Ozil > Kane (c) / B. Silva -4
    b) save FT

    1. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Save

    3. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

  19. That Fantasy Guy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Which to do?
    A. Masuaku -> Daniels
    B. Niasse -> J ayew

    Thanks

    1. Clifford☯
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. ooooo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      b

    3. Drogba Legend
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A out of those two

  20. Clifford☯
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Which transfer do you prefer?

    A) Quaner to Wilson (-4)
    B) Mahrez to Pogba / Martial (-4)

    1. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

      1. PocketZola
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Walcott

  21. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Start Duffy or ogbonna?

    1. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Duffy

    2. PocketZola
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Dufster

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Home team West Shambles

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        *vs

  22. PocketZola
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Sexy or not? 1.3 itb

    Ddg
    Alonso ota duffy (holgate,christ)
    Salah(c) sterling son Walcott ling
    Kane wilson (quaner)

  23. DAZZ
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Triple city attack (bernardo,raheem and sergio) giving one the captaincy too much?? Especially being an early KO i'll be fuming with a Burnley 1-1 Man City, fernandino goal

    1. Prøfeßör …
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      The argument works in the same manner the other way. Just pick whoever you think is the best captaincy option. If it's Aguero, then so be it.

    2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B.Silva > Fernandino

  24. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Aguero has only one double digit away from home this season

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      So you're sayin there's a chance...

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Hah dumb & dumber

        1. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          😉

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Should have hauled against Newcastle away. Nearly all other away games there wasn't else going on.

    3. mookie
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      You mean the 20 pointer?

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Yep that one. Still only one

  25. asif316uk
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is it worth doing

    A. KDB > Alexis for a hit

    1. PocketZola
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hell no

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Don't think so

    3. mookie
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      You gotta be smokin' some top stuff there.

    4. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lunacy

  26. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Worth a -4 guys ??

    mahrez + crouch >> walcott + wilson

    Tnks.

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yep

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Go for it

  27. asif316uk
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Shaqiri >

    A. Pogba
    B. Walcott
    C. Martial
    D. Mane
    E. None

    For a -4

    1. banskt
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      E.

  28. Oscarman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    DDG
    Jones / Alonso / Hegazi / Daniels
    Stirling / Salah / Lingard
    Firmino / Aguero / Wilson
    ( Son / Mee / Carroll)

    GTG or would you mess?

    1. banskt
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Play Son ahead of Hegazi / Wilson.

      1. Oscarman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I’m a Kopite, going to the game, so think I’ll pass. Cheers anyway pal!

  29. banskt
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A) Save FT (luxury of 2FT after FA Cup)
    B) Masuaku > Naughton
    C) Crouch > Wilson

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      C looks good but who would you be benching if you did it?

      1. banskt
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Jordan Ayew, Ben Mee and Masuaku are on my bench.

  30. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Kun vs hazard for capt... leaning haz

    1. banskt
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I would captain Kun if I had him.